AGP Executive Report

Corporate Tax & Competitiveness: Barbados says new global corporate tax rules have already pulled in $150m+ in additional collections, but business leaders warn higher taxes could push firms toward more efficient jurisdictions unless public services modernise fast. Housing & Finance: City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union and COBFSIA are breaking ground on Deanstown Heights, a St James development of 34 affordable homes priced roughly $362,500–$571,000. Work Permits Debate: Opposition Senator Ryan Walters is urging a full revamp of Barbados’ work permit regime, citing permits sought for jobs he says Barbadians can fill, alongside support for the Protection of Wages Bill. Back-to-School Support: Barbados and Friends Mental Health Awareness Association and the Cuava Foundation are backing a “Every child should have a backpack” push to ease school-start pressure on families. Public Transport & Events: Crop Over traffic arrangements are drawing praise from PSV and minibus operators for reducing congestion, though some roads still kept vehicles farther from key areas. Digital Civic Tools: The Pearly app is seeing heavy use for pothole reporting and bus tracking, with thousands of downloads and agencies being onboarded to handle the surge. Tourism Industry Linkages: interCaribbean Airways named Official Airline Partner for CTO’s SOTIC 2026, offering a 25% delegate discount for the Oct 5–9 conference in Guyana. Regional Business Pulse: ANSA McAL reports strong first-half 2026 results, with Guyana delivering 19.7% growth and group revenue up 3%. Health & Parenting: QEH midwife Shermena Kirton says more young mothers are reluctant to breastfeed due to lifestyle and work pressures, making tailored education key. Sports & Youth Sailing: St Vincent and the Grenadines’ i420 sailors Scarlett Hadley and Kai Marks Dasent finished 6th at the CAC Games, showing rapid progress in their first double-handed campaign.

Tourism & Culture: Panazz’s “The Story” is being celebrated in Washington, DC, for World Steelpan Day, tracing how a Harvard school assignment turned into an internationally acclaimed documentary, with a screening and Q&A featuring former Panazz leader Barry Bartholomew and pannist Dane Gulston. Crop Over Logistics: Public transport operators say this year’s Crop Over traffic arrangements cut congestion and improved movement, though they want earlier coordination so PSVs, minibuses and taxis can get closer to key events. Festival Spotlight: Grand Kadooment Day 2026 drew 22 registered costumed bands, an estimated 15,000–20,000 revelers and nearly 80,000 spectators, with the parade framed as the peak of Crop Over and rooted in Barbados’ sugar-harvest history. Local Business & Housing: Deanstown Heights, a St James affordable housing project of 34 homes, is being developed by the City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union via COB Financial Services, with prices targeting low- and middle-income buyers. Finance & Payments: The Central Bank of Barbados warns that viral WhatsApp claims about BiMPay are false, stressing BiMPay is domestic instant payments infrastructure and does not affect PayPal or overseas remittances. Workforce Policy: Opposition Senator Ryan Walters is pushing for a revamp of Barbados’ work permit regime, citing permit requests for jobs he says could be filled locally. Regional Industry Signals: ANSA McAL reports strong first-half 2026 performance, with Guyana driving 19.7% growth, while Barbados’ corporate tax windfall under global rules is sparking debate over long-term competitiveness.

Back-to-school support: Barbados and Friends Mental Health Awareness Association, via the “Every child should have a backpack” push, handed over school essentials to families in Christ Church South, with Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight linking the donations to easing stress and supporting youth mental health. Work permits under pressure: Opposition Senator Ryan Walters urged a full revamp of Barbados’ work permit regime after seeing permits sought for roles he says Barbadians can fill, while the Bahamas announced a review of labour certificate applications and employment data to improve transparency and access for Bahamians. Corporate tax competitiveness: Barbados collected $150m+ in additional corporate taxes under OECD Pillar Two rules, but business leaders warn higher taxation could push firms toward more efficient jurisdictions unless public services modernise fast. Local business & housing: City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union and COBFSIA are rolling out Deanstown Heights in St James with 34 affordable homes, while Flame2Fork expands ready-to-eat meals and value-added food distribution. Payments & public trust: The Central Bank of Barbados dismissed viral BiMPay WhatsApp claims as false, clarifying BiMPay is domestic instant payments and doesn’t affect PayPal or international remittances. Digital civic engagement: Pearly app usage surged with pothole complaints topping reports, as the Transport Board bus locator and defect logging draw thousands of downloads. Tourism & connectivity: interCaribbean Airways named Official Airline Partner for CTO’s SOTIC 2026, and Royalton Hotels & Resorts promoted its “Soul of the Island” family package after reopening refreshed Jamaica properties.

Corporate Tax & Competitiveness: Barbados collected $150m+ in extra corporate taxes under OECD Pillar Two, but business leaders warn the windfall could hurt the island’s appeal unless public services modernise fast. Instant Payments Clarity: The Central Bank of Barbados says a circulating WhatsApp voice note about BiMPay is false, stressing it’s a domestic instant payments system and doesn’t affect PayPal or overseas remittances. Housing & Finance: Deanstown Heights in St James is set to deliver 34 affordable homes, with COB Credit Union and COBFSIA pricing lots from about $362,500 to $571,000. Fintech in the Region: Finovate Global Caribbean spotlights Belize Bank’s six-year digital modernization with Backbase, aiming to upgrade AI-powered onboarding and digital banking. Food Production Focus: Agri-Business Day in Barbados targets the future of food production, training young farmers in innovative, sustainable agribusiness. Public Services Tech: The Pearly app saw thousands of users during Crop Over, with live band tracking and real-time support features driving uptake. Regional Business Performance: ANSA McAL points to Guyana’s 19.7% growth as it reports stronger first-half results, with revenue up 3% to TT$3.79b. Labour Law Update: The Senate is told the Protection of Wages Bill must be read alongside existing labour laws as it modernises worker protections.

Returnable Containers: Barbados’ Energy/Commerce Minister Kerrie Symmonds says there are no plans to raise bottle refund amounts, warning any increase would push up the cost of living for retailers and the wider economy. Payments Trust: The Central Bank of Barbados moved to debunk a viral WhatsApp voice note claiming BiMPay is required for overseas transfers and that non-users face slowed domestic payments—calling the claims false and saying BiMPay is strictly a domestic instant payments system. Public Service Tech: The Pearly app drew thousands of users during Crop Over, with TouchStar reporting “many thousands” of downloads and heavy demand for its live band tracker and real-time public safety features. Civic Reporting: Pearly’s road-reporting feature is also driving digital engagement, with hundreds logging potholes and using a bus locator, as the platform scales onboarding across government agencies. Infrastructure Impact: Businesses near Bridgetown’s Chamberlain (Swing) Bridge say fixed opening schedules are cutting pedestrian access and hurting lunchtime sales. Food & Farming Pipeline: Agri-Business Day in Barbados focused on future food production, training young farmers in sustainable, innovative agribusiness. Labour Law Update: The Senate was told the Protection of Wages Bill must be read alongside existing labour laws as it modernises worker protections for public and private employers. Regional Business Results: ANSA McAL reported strong first-half 2026 performance, citing standout Guyana growth and rising profits. Tourism & Events: The Republic Bank CPL confirmed 2026 broadcast partners and a Barbados-hosted finals week as the league expands to seven teams.

CPL Broadcast Push: Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) confirmed its 2026 broadcast partners, with Pan-Caribbean coverage running via Rush Live & Louder and full live access across TV and digital platforms as the league expands to seven teams and stages its first-ever CPL final in Barbados. Public Payments Clarity: The Central Bank of Barbados moved to shut down a viral WhatsApp voice note about BiMPay, saying the claims are false and that BiMPay is a domestic instant payments system with no effect on international transfers or PayPal. Digital Civic Tools: Barbados’ Pearly app is drawing heavy use, with potholes the top complaint and users also tracking Transport Board buses, while the developer says government onboarding is underway to handle the surge in reports. City Business Impact: Lower Bay Street traders say the Chamberlain (Swing) Bridge’s fixed opening schedule is cutting pedestrian access and hurting lunchtime sales. Food & Retail Growth: Caribbean Producers (Jamaica) Limited (CPJ) is leaning on retail sales and exports as tourism lags, while local brand Flame2Fork is expanding into ready-to-eat meals after launching at PriceSmart clubs. Labour Law Update: Barbados Senate heard the Protection of Wages Bill should be read alongside existing labour laws as it modernises worker protections for public and private employers.

Central Banking & Payments: The Central Bank of Barbados moved to quash a viral WhatsApp voice note, saying claims about BiMPay forcing adoption, slowing domestic transfers, or affecting PayPal/overseas remittances are false. Public Safety Tech: Barbados’ Pearly app drew “many thousands” of users during Crop Over, boosted by a live band tracker used by emergency services. Tourism & Business Access: Lower Bay Street merchants say the Chamberlain “Swing Bridge” pedestrian closures and fixed opening schedules are cutting lunchtime foot traffic. Labour Law: The Senate was told the Protection of Wages Bill must be read alongside existing labour and workplace laws as it modernises protections for public and private employers. Finance Snapshot: The Central Bank reported households and institutions borrowed more in the first half of 2026, with credit up modestly and non-performing loans continuing to fall. Crime Scene Training: UWI Global Campus and the Barbados Police Service celebrated the first graduates of a crime scene investigation programme with UNODC support. Regional Energy/Resources: Grenada cancelled arrangements with a Russian-backed oil firm over long inactivity. CARIFESTA Planning: CARICOM Secretariat met Guyana ministers on CARIFESTA 2027, including funding, logistics, marketing and youth development. Sports Broadcasting: Republic Bank CPL confirmed broadcast partners and a wider seven-team format, with match coverage expanding across regional TV and digital platforms.

Rooftop Solar Pressure: Belco’s August rate changes are set to raise fixed charges for solar users, weakening the rooftop solar business case as costs for grid backup get shifted onto consumers. Crop Over Industry Debate: Barbados Agricultural Society head James Paul says Crop Over is drifting from its harvest roots, urging a stronger link to agricultural achievement and food security goals. Festival Economy vs Logistics: Entertainment Association of Barbados president Rudy Maloney credits a strong visitor and safe-season boost, but warns venue shortages and overlapping events could cap future growth. Food Production Data Gap: The agriculture ministry says it can’t set reliable production targets because it lacks timely farm data on planting and harvest schedules. Port City Access Hit: Businesses along Lower Bay Street report income losses after Chamberlain Bridge lift schedules restrict pedestrian crossings. Blue Economy Education: Barbados’ Ministry of Education is developing a globally recognised high school certificate via its ocean and climate schools, with UN-linked certification plans. China Water Investment: China is funding a US$66m South Coast Water Reclamation upgrade to modernise wastewater treatment and expand reuse. CPL Matchday Tech: Republic Bank CPL confirms drone shows at Arnos Vale ahead of fixtures, adding a new entertainment layer for fans. AI Policy Watch: A World Bank report flags higher AI job displacement risk in high-income countries, while regional debate continues on how to regulate AI responsibly. Culture Spotlight: Rihanna’s return to Grand Kadooment Day, designed by Lauren Austin, keeps Barbados’ creative talent in the global spotlight.

Crop Over & Tourism Pulse: Crop Over’s Grand Kadooment wrapped with praise for a smooth, peaceful finale and strong visitor turnout, even as industry voices warned that venue shortages and overlapping events could cap future growth. Local Food Security: Barbados’ food import reduction push is being slowed by a farm data gap, with the agriculture ministry saying it can’t set reliable production targets without better information on what’s planted, when, and when harvests are expected. Energy & Renewables Policy: Barbados is moving on renewable readiness and climate resilience, with China highlighting a US$66m South Coast Water Reclamation Project, while regional reporting also underscores how outdated rules and tariff structures can squeeze solar economics. Blue Economy Skills: Barbados’ Ministry of Education is developing globally recognised ocean and climate school certification plans via UN-linked partnerships. Climate Resilience Finance: IRENA has opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Barbados. Maritime Transition: An IDB-commissioned study flags medium-term infrastructure needs for shore-side power and green fuel bunkering, while noting Barbados’ relatively advanced policy footing. Creative Industries & Talent: The NCF is urging the public to rely on official sources, warning that AI-made Grand Kadooment videos are misleading; meanwhile, bandleaders are training local youth in costume-making to build long-term masquerade capacity. Regional Culture Planning: CARICOM talks with Guyana are advancing preparations for CARIFESTA 2027, with Barbados’ 2025 edition noted as the most recent stop.

Renewables & Power Costs: Barbados consumers are set to pay less after new LPG rates took effect Aug 2, with four cylinder sizes reduced by 53 cents to $2.68, easing household and business fuel bills. Solar Policy Pressure: In the wider region, St Vincent’s Vinlec CEO says outdated law and an old rate structure are squeezing solar integration, warning that the cost of “netting off” can’t keep being absorbed by the utility. Energy Transition Funding: IRENA has opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Barbados, prioritizing proposals before Sept 1 and covering solar, wind, clean transport, green hydrogen and even sargassum-linked energy. Maritime Decarbonisation: An IDB-commissioned study says no Caribbean port is yet offering full shore-side power or green fuel bunkering, but flags Barbados and the Bahamas as relatively advanced on policy readiness. Insurance Talent Pipeline: Coralisle Group (CG) wrapped its 2026 summer internship programme, bringing students from Bermuda, Cayman, the Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica into eight-week placements across insurance, tech, operations and more. Crop Over Integrity: The National Cultural Foundation warned the public not to trust AI-generated Grand Kadooment videos circulating online, urging people to use official platforms for accurate festival coverage. Festival Momentum: Grand Kadooment Day is underway with heritage and party bands on the road, while bandleaders also push youth training to keep costume-making skills local. Regional Climate Stress: A new study says Caribbean nations suffered $53.2bn in damage from climate-fuelled disasters from 2000 to 2024, with slow-onset impacts like Saharan dust and sargassum also hitting health and agriculture. Shipping Tensions: Iran is seeking control and visibility over inbound and outbound shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under talks with Oman, as the waterway remains central to global oil and goods flows.

Crop Over & Culture: Rihanna stole the show at Grand Kadooment Day, dancing through the streets in a jewel-encrusted costume with her brother Rorrey Fenty’s band, Aura, as thousands of masqueraders kept the Flow 5G+ finale moving. Local Mas Craft & Youth Skills: Bandleaders say the industry is getting tougher, but they’re responding by training teenagers in costume making—feathering and demming—so the craft stays in Barbados. Festival Integrity: The National Cultural Foundation warned the public not to treat AI-generated Grand Kadooment videos as official footage, urging people to use its verified platforms. Energy & Household Costs: Barbados cut LPG cylinder prices effective Aug. 2, with reductions ranging from 53 cents to $2.68 depending on size. Renewables Funding: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including solar, wind, clean transport and even sargassum-linked energy. Maritime Transition: An IDB study says no Caribbean port yet offers full shore-side power or green fuel bunkering, but flags Barbados as among the more advanced on policy readiness. Climate Pressure: A new report puts climate-fuelled disaster damage to Caribbean nations at $53.2bn (2000–2024), while dust and sargassum are hitting health and livelihoods now. Payments & Finance: GraceKennedy’s Trinidad unit was registered as a Payment Service Provider, expanding regulated payment services including bill payment. Agriculture Education: Barbados is expanding school greenhouse programmes by involving students in building and design, alongside a summer camp focused on soil, animal care and agribusiness.

Renewables Push: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable energy projects across Central America and the Caribbean, prioritizing proposals before Sept. 1 and covering solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, bioenergy, green hydrogen, clean transport and even sargassum-linked energy. Maritime Decarbonisation: An IDB-commissioned study says no Caribbean port is yet fully operational for shore-side power or green fuel bunkering, but it flags Barbados and the Bahamas as relatively advanced on policy and regulation—while infrastructure and planning still lag. Energy Costs in Barbados: Barbados cut LPG cylinder prices effective Aug. 2, with reductions ranging from 53 cents to $2.68 depending on size. Local Talent Pipeline: Coralisle Group (CG) wrapped its 2026 Summer Internship Programme, placing students from six jurisdictions into insurance, legal, finance, tech and customer service work plus cross-border intern projects. Digital Sovereignty: Blue NAP Americas and Cloud Carib are teaming up to deliver sovereign cloud infrastructure for Caribbean organisations, focusing on security, compliance and disaster recovery. Crop Over/Grand Kadooment Watch: The NCF warned the public about AI-generated Grand Kadooment videos being shared as if they were official footage, urging people to use its verified platforms. Agriculture Skills: Barbados is expanding school greenhouse learning through a hands-on approach, with students involved in building and design as part of a broader push for youth farming and backyard food production.

Energy & Cost of Living: Barbados cut LPG cylinder prices effective Aug 2, with reductions ranging from 53 cents to $2.68 depending on size, easing costs for households and businesses. Agriculture & Food Security: The Ministry of Agriculture is expanding school greenhouse work by adding 13 structures next school year, with students involved in building and learning greenhouse design, weather impacts and practical ag skills; separately, the Hearts and Minds summer camp trained students in soil, animal care, food production and agribusiness, while a new One Family Programme will support 600 households with backyard farming inputs and technical help. Farm Safety & Production: Agriculture officials say they’re intensifying the fight against praedial larceny (crop and livestock theft) to protect output targets under the crop escalation programme, with a special committee including police, defence force and farmers. Insurance & Youth Skills: Coralisle Group (CG) wrapped its 2026 summer internship programme after eight weeks for students from six jurisdictions, building hands-on experience across insurance, legal, finance, tech and customer service. Digital Infrastructure: Blue NAP Americas and Cloud Carib announced a partnership to deliver sovereign cloud infrastructure for Caribbean governments and regulated industries, combining data centre capacity with cybersecurity and disaster recovery services. Tourism & Culture: Crop Over 2026’s Grand Kadooment is underway with thousands of revellers and 22 bands on the road, while organisers say security planning includes drones, CCTV, checkpoints and rapid response teams. Sports & Industry Spotlight: Barbados-China ties got a boost as China-backed rebuilding of the National Stadium was highlighted, with a new 10,000-seat venue planned.

CARICOM Resilience Push: Caribbean leaders say wars, fuel prices, and supply shocks are beyond control, so they’re doubling down on systems they can influence—food and energy security, transport, healthcare, AI, and regional trade. Visa Rules Watch: Finland updated its visa-free list, confirming only Mauritius and Seychelles among African nations for short stays under set conditions. Barbados Agriculture Drive: The Ministry of Agriculture is expanding school greenhouse learning with students helping build and design, while a Hearts and Minds summer camp is training youth in soil, animals, food production, and agribusiness. Food Security at Home: Barbados will roll out backyard farming support for 600 households via the One Family Programme, including seedlings, grow boxes, and technical help. Praedial Larceny Crackdown: Officials say farm thieves are forcing producers to scale back, with a special committee now coordinating policy and enforcement with police and defence. Sports & Culture: China-funded work is underway to rebuild Barbados National Stadium, and Crop Over’s Kadooment climax is set with a major security plan. Digital Sovereignty: Blue NAP Americas and Cloud Carib are partnering to deliver sovereign cloud infrastructure for Caribbean governments and regulated industries. Energy Finance: JMMB’s DR arm placed about US$11m into solar and wind through its Sustainable Energy Fund.

US-Iran Shipping & Finance: A drone strike hit U.S.-managed LNG unit ENERGOS WINTER near Damietta, with OFAC also targeting Iran’s Hormuz “extortion” insurance network and shadow tankers—raising pressure on regional maritime trade. Emancipation & Heritage: Minister Trevor Prescod blamed low Emancipation Day turnout on weak historical consciousness and announced new reparations/Black studies education; a rare 300-pound plantation bell was unveiled during the celebrations. Agriculture Push: Government is expanding school greenhouse work by involving students in construction and design, while Hearts and Minds camp trains young people in soil, animals, food production and agribusiness. Food Security at Home: One Family Programme will fund backyard farming for 600 households, starting with demonstration farms and supplying seedlings, grow systems and chicken coops. Farm Theft Crackdown: Agriculture says it’s stepping up action against praedial larceny, convening a multi-agency committee as farmers report scaling back due to losses. Economy Watch: Central Bank data shows Barbados growth slowed to 1.4% in the first half of 2026, with tourism and domestic services supporting output as global uncertainty bites. Business Transparency: Barbados is moving to tighten beneficial ownership disclosure via a new register bill aimed at identifying the real owners behind companies. Disaster Readiness: New emergency equipment will strengthen St George North’s district emergency organisation under a CDEMA/EU-funded resilience programme. Tourism Trade: Connect Barbados drew 92 global buyers and 111 local partners, including new Gulf and Africa representation. Energy Investment: JMMB’s Dominican Republic arm placed about US$11m into solar and wind through its Sustainable Energy Fund. Cloud for the Region: Blue NAP Americas and Cloud Carib are building sovereign cloud infrastructure for Caribbean governments and regulated industries. Counterfeit Alert: Police warn of counterfeit U.S. currency in circulation and urge cash handlers to check notes closely during Crop Over and beyond.

Caribbean Rum Spotlight: The Caribbean Rum Awards returns as the only rum competition in the region that brings top Caribbean bottles together for blind judging on St Barth—an industry moment for distillers and buyers. Agri-Education Push: Barbados is expanding school greenhouse farming, with students moving from “beneficiaries” to builders and learners on design, weather impacts, and practical ag skills. Next-Gen Farming: A Hearts and Minds summer camp is training young people in soil, animal care, food production and agribusiness, while officials also plan to grow backyard farming support for 600 households. Praedial Larceny Crackdown: The Ministry of Agriculture says it’s stepping up the fight against farm thieves, convening a special committee with police and defence to protect crop escalation targets. Food Security Infrastructure: Barbados and China highlight partnership progress, including the US$66m south coast water reclamation project and rice cooperation aimed at boosting domestic grain. Business Transparency: Government is advancing a beneficial ownership register bill to identify the real owners behind companies and strengthen accountability. Tourism Trade & Skills: Connect Barbados reported record buyer participation, and the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) is coming to Barbados in November with AI, revenue growth and workforce development on the agenda. Economy Watch: The Central Bank says growth slowed in the first half of 2026 amid global uncertainty, with tourism value added steady but risks rising. Climate Risk Alerts: Barbados faces intense heat and uneven rainfall, with flooding and flash-flood risk flagged for the late wet season.